Advocate Editorial Board opinion: Thank you for man's service to Victoria

By the Advocate Editorial Board
Dec. 10, 2013 at 6:10 a.m.

Every community has certain citizens who stand out. These are the people who are involved in every level of society and invest their time, money and effort into helping create a better community.

Victoria has many people who fit this description and work together to improve our hometown through nonprofits, volunteer work, business and personal investments and more. Every year, the Victoria Rotary Club recognizes one of these people for their hard work and ongoing commitment to the betterment of Victoria. At the Dec. 4 Victoria Chamber of Commerce luncheon, John Brimberry was named the Victoria Rotary Club's Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

Brimberry, 80, has a lifetime of achievements that have benefited himself and others. Early in his life, he spent two years in the Army as a helicopter mechanic and earned a degree in agricultural education and his master's degree in education. He was also one of the people involved in the creation of the first-of-its-kind Professional Insurance Agents group in 1971, which was bought by Frost Bank in 1999. Brimberry began leading Frost's acquisitions, and the bank grew to include insurance agencies in Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth and Houston.

In addition to his professional success, Brimberry has also seen success in his service to the Victoria community. He is one of the founders of the Victoria College Foundation and served as the chairman for a time and founding officer and director of the Victoria Economic Development Corp. He has served as a president of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Victoria Cultural Council, a board member of the Victoria County United Way and as chairman of the board of trustees of the First United Methodist Church, and he served on the board of trustees of the Southwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church.

These are impressive achievements that have gone on to have ever-increasing impacts on the Victoria community through multiple spheres of influence. The Victoria College Foundation has helped support and improve higher education in Victoria. VEDC has had a major impact on the development of Victoria's economy, including helping attract major companies to our city. Each area of service has contributed to the lasting prosperity and improvement of Victoria as a city and as a strong community.

We applaud Brimberry for his years of service to Victoria. His long-lasting commitment to success through both business and community service has helped shape the Victoria community into what it is today. We are grateful for everything he has done. Congratulations on your honors and thank you for years of service and commitment to our hometown.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.